Have the best interview ever (and land the job!)

Sure, you might be able to give an impromptu speech in Public Speaking 101, but an interview is not the time to test your improvisation skills.

Summer is fast approaching, which means many of you have interviews coming up. You already know how to write a perfect cover letter and how to craft an awesome resume — but interviewing is a completely different animal. Being put on the spot can be super stressful and intimidating, but with enough preparation and practice, acing an interview can become second-nature.

We asked Martin Yate, the author of the award-winning Knock ’Em Dead job search book series, for his best interviewing tips for students. Follow this guide and you’ll be sure to nail the interview and land the job!

1. Do your research.

Sure, you might be able to give an impromptu speech in Public Speaking 101, but an interview is not the time to test your improvisation skills. No matter what, you need to be prepared. Most of that preparation comes in research. You’ll want to be knowledgeable about the company, the job you’re applying for and the interviewer.

First, to find out more about the company, you can do a quick search on Google, Facebook or Twitter to learn the basics. See if they have accounts on Pinterest, Tumblr or Instagram, too. To take it a step further, set up a Google media alert. Just type in the company’s name and Google will email you new stories, blogs, videos and more to give you up-to-the-minute news about the company.

Learn the basics about the company, like what it does, where it’s based, and who its clients are if applicable.

“It is so easy to find out about the company and what they are doing,” Yate said. “They want to know that you are interested in them. By showing that you understand what the company does, that demonstrates your interest.”

If you know their names, researching the interviewer(s) can also show your preparedness.

By searching them on Facebook and LinkedIn, you can find out a little bit about them. Yate suggests looking for connections — maybe you went to the same college or are the in the same sorority. Bringing up those connections can help you bond with the interviewer. And even if you don’t have anything in common, you’ll likely find out what the interviewer looks like, which might make you less nervous about meeting them for the first time.

If you don’t know who’s interviewing you, ask!

Ideally, you should ask this question when you set up the interview. However, if you didn’t find out already, calling to ask will show the interviewer that you’re doing your homework.

Finally, you need to know about the job you’re interviewing for.

“You can find out more about the position by reaching out to people you know who are doing this job or who have done this job,” Yate said.

Talk to people either at the specific company you’re applying for, or who hold a similar job in the field. Yate also suggests connecting with your college’s alumni association and joining special interests groups on LinkedIn that relate to your career field.

Having this base knowledge will show your interviewer that you took the time to do the research, which in turn shows that you’re serious about the job opportunity.

2. Dress the part.

“You’re trying to get hired — not date,” Yate said. That means you need to make sure that you are showing an appropriate amount of skin. A short-sleeved dress is probably acceptable, for example, but avoid showing cleavage or wearing a short skirt.

Also, make sure your outfit isn’t too tight — you don’t need to show off your killer curves to get a job. Marilyn Monroe put it best: “Your clothes should be tight enough to show you’re a woman but loose enough to show you’re a lady.”

Stick with closed-toed shoes, even if it’s warm out. A pair of simple black or nude pumps will do the trick. But be mindful of the heels’ height!

“You cannot look professional teetering around in five-inch heels,” Yate said. Keep your heels no higher than three inches.

But dressing professionally doesn’t mean you have to wear a suit.

“Most people will say, without a doubt, dress professionally to an interview. But nowadays, this isn’t always the case,” said Christine Marshall, editor-in-chief of Her Campus William Paterson University of New Jersey.

She advises asking a current or past employee how they dressed for their interview or how they dress on a regular workday.

“Some companies have a casual-wear policy, so walking into your interview in a suit really wouldn’t fit in with the atmosphere. Your clothing choice should not only reflect your personality, but it should also showcase how well you’ll fit into this company.”

There are plenty of ways to look professional and show of your personality. Adding a pop of color in your shoes, jewelry or a blazer can make your outfit look vibrant and exciting. Or try a pencil skirt with a patterned blouse for a mix of fresh and professional. Or you could always keep it simple with a classic black dress and simple jewelry.

Don’t go into an interview empty-handed! There are a few key things to bring with you:

• A professional-looking bag to carry everything in

• A few extra copies of your resume

• A list of references

• Your business card

• A notebook and pen

• Portfolio/work examples (if applicable)

If you’re in a creative field that includes writing or design, be careful about showing off your previous work.

“There’s a difference between a professional interview and show-and-tell in third grade,” said Yate. Don’t pull out your work unless asked. The other appropriate time to show your clips is if the best way to answer a question is by showing a specific example. For instance, if you’re asked about your reporting skills for a journalism job, you might want to show a story that required a lot of research and interviewing.

Plus, don’t forget to bring directions or a GPS and the interviewer’s phone number, just in case you get lost or something goes wrong. You may not use them, but you’re better off safe than sorry!

For three more steps on how to have the best interview ever, read the full article on Her Campus here.

HerCampus.com is the #1 online magazine for college women with national content on Style, Health, Love, Life, and Career, supplemented by local content produced by teams of students at 200+ colleges across the country. Want to start a branch of Her Campus at your school? Apply here .